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Labor History Seminar, New Book Symposium: Melvin Ely

Saturday, December 15, 2007

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Labor History Seminar

Rethinking Black Freedom in the Era of Slavery: The Challenge of Israel on the Appomattox: A Southern Experiment in Black Freedom from the 1790s through the Civil WarFeaturing author Melvin ElyThe recent publication of the award-winning book by Melvyn Ely, historian at the College of William and Mary, raises numerous questions about the nature of slavery and freedom in the first half of the 19th century. “Rethinking Black Freedom in the Era of Slavery” aims to critically re-examine the place of free African Americans, the character of race relations, and the challenges local history can pose to the grander, sweeping narratives of American history.

Commentators: Eric Arnesen, University of Illinois at ChicagoCorey Capers, University of Illinois at Chicago Jane Dailey, University of Chicago Leon Fink, University of Illinois at Chicago Michael Perman, University of Illinois at Chicago Julie Saville, University of Chicago James Schmidt, Northern Illinois University